Oil burner



April 21, 1964 H. E. VARVEL 3,129,748

on BURNER Filed June 15, 1961 United States Patent Ofiice 3,129,748 Patented Apr. 21., 1964 3,129,748 OIL BURNER Harold E. Varvel, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to Master Consolidated Inc, a corporation of Ohio Fiied June 15, 1961, Ser. No. 117,345 8 Claims. (Ci. 158--76) This invention relates to improvements in burner assemblies which are particularly advantageous when applied to oil burning space heaters. However, it is to be understood that while the illustration of the invention must of necessity be limited, neither the form of its embodiment nor its application is intended to be so limited.

The fabrication of a space heater presents many problems. It is particularly essential that its fuel delivery and combustion system be both effective and safe in operation. However, it has proven difiicult to meet this requirement, particularly on an economical basis. This is serious since a poor fuel delivery and ignition system can result (1) in inadequate dispersion of fuel, thereby limiting the capacity of the heater within which it is embodied, and -(2) in incomplete combustion creating toxic fumes and leaving dangerous combustible residue, the latter of which may inadvertently ignite with explosive force.

The present invention provides a highly improved fuel delivery and combustion system admirably suited to space heaters. This improved system is inherent in the use of a novel oil burner unit as provided by the invention. Invention embodiments are capable of insuring a high degree of atomization of fuel and a pressured delivery thereof under conditions providing maximum fuel dispersion in a manner to enable complete combustion thereof. They also provide the heater or other units within which they are incorporated with maximum heating capacity and an operation free of toxic fumes and dangerous combustible residue. Moreover, their use results in a simplification of fuel delivery and combustion systems.

A primary object of the invention is to provide improvements in burner units rendering them economical to fabricate, more efiicient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety of applications and unlikely to malfunction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simplified oil burner unit which is particularly applicable to provide improvements in space heaters.

A further object of the invention is to provide im provements in fuel delivery and combustion systems for portable heaters.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simplified burner construction particularly advantageous in application to space heaters incorporating means for effecting maximum dispersion of fuel under conditions enabling more complete combustion thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus enabling a more efi'icient and effective fuel delivery and ignition system in space heaters and the like which provides such heaters with maximum heating capacity and safety features.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel burner unit formed to effect maximum atomization of fuel on delivery and entrainment thereof in a pressured flow of air whereby to insure fuel dispersion and enable essentially complete combustion thereof within a combusintended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein is shown one but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a burner assembly in accordance with the invention with parts broken away for clarity of disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a view of the burner unit embodied in the device of FIG. 1 appropriately sectioned to reveal its interior construction;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the assembly of FIG 1; and

FIG. 4 is a front view of the unit illustrated in FIG. 2.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

The invention can be best described with reference to the accompanying drawing. The burner assembly shown is particularly adapted for use in providing a highly effective fuel delivery and combustion system in a space heater and will be so described. As illustrated, it includes a generally cylindrical burner body 1 capped at its operating face 2 by an annular control plate 3.

The inner periphery of the plate 3 is defined by a conically formed portion 4 which projects outwardly relative the operating face 2 of the body 1. Its outer periphery is defined by a cylindrical flange 5 at its inner face 6. A rib 30 is formed in the plate 3, intermediate its inner and outer peripheries to lend strength thereto.

Fixedin edge mounted relation to the inner face of the plate 3 are a series of guide or deflector blades 7. Blades 7 are respectively oriented generally tangential to the inner peripheral portion of the plate 3, spaced equidistantly thereabout. The innermost extremities 8 of the blades 7 are curved in a common direction to mutually define a cylindrical nest for the body 1 which is immediately confined thereby. The curved extremities 8 are respectively notched to accommodate studs 9 which project radially from the outermost surface of the body 1. One of the studs 9 is in the form of an adjustable screw 10.

It may be readily seen that body 1 may be easily introduced to the nest defined by the curved extremities 8 of blades 7 to dispose the outer peripheral portion of its operating face 2 in abutment with the surface 6, about the inner periphery of the plate 3. As the body 1 is ap plied, the studs 9 will be disposed intermediate respectively adjacent extremities 8 of the blades 7, in line with the notches therein. A simple twist of the body 1 disposes the studs 9, including screw 10, in these notches. Screw 10 may then be adjusted to clamp the body 1 in fixed relation to the plate 3.

A series of recesses 11 having an ovular outline are formed in the face 2 of body 1 circularly arranged about its center and immediately within its outer peripheral surface 12. The outer wall of the body 1 including the surface 12, is formed to provide it with a substantially equidistantly spaced series of tangential inlets 13 respectively opening into a recess 11. The nested positioning of the body 1 with respect to the blades 7 is such that the tangential inlets are disposed immediately adjacent the tangential surfaces of the plates 7 for purposes to be further described.

An annular recess 14 is provided in the center of the operating face 2. The recess 14 defines a cylindrical projection 15, the outer end of which terminates short of the face 2. A central passage axially directed through the body 1 opens through the projection 15 in line with the aperture defined by the inner periphery of plate 3.

A siphon nozzle assembly 16 is threadedly engaged in the end of projectionlS adjacent the operating face 2 to have an air delivery tube 17 which forms a portion thereof extend rearwardly through the central passage in the body 1. This central passage is reduced adjacent its rearmost extremity to provide a bearing 18 for the tube 17 which projects therethrough. A coupling 19 engages to the body 1 in the rear extremity of the central passage to couple to the tube 17. Seal means 20 are provided about tube 17 between the bearing 18 and the coupling 19. An air line 21 connects to the coupling 19 for delivering compressed air through the tube 17 as will be further described. The bearing 18 together with nozzle 22 of the nozzle assembly 16 thereby define a chamber 23 in the central passage of body 1 about the tube 17. A line 24 in communication with chamber 23 provides for delivery of fuel therethrough to the nozzle 22.

It is noted that the nozzle 22 is formed conventionally to provide the device with small bore passages which open adjacent the convergent discharge end of the delivery tube 17 which lies adjacent the discharge opening 25 from the nozzle assembly 16. Upon delivery of compressed air through the tube 17, this air serves to aspirate fuel through line 24, chamber 23 and the small bore passages in nozzle 22. The fuel is atomized in and discharged from the nozzle 22 in a manner to be described. The nozzle 22 of the siphon nozzle is projected sufficiently relative the operating face 2 that its discharge extremity is disposed within the conical projection defining the inner periphery of the plate 3.

Also provided in the body 1 above and to either side of the nozzle assembly 16 are through passages accommodating igniter assemblies 26, the igniter elements 27 of which project outwardly of the operating face 2. The igniter elements 27 are arranged to converge downwardly to points just above and to either side of the discharge opening from the nozzle assembly.

In use of the burner assembly above described, in application to a space heater, the plate 3 defines an opening to a combustion chamber through the medium of its conically projected inner peripheral portion 4. In conjunction therewith, it is contemplated that the rear of the burner assembly illustrated will be exposed to a delivery of air under pressure to be passed about and be heated by a transfer of heat from the combustion chamber associated therewith.

As the burner assembly is employed, the fuel delivery line 24 will naturally be in communication with a supply of fuel while the air line 21 will be connected with a source for delivering air under pressure to and through the tube 17 to exit from its convergent discharge extremity adjacent to the openings in the nozzle 22 comrnunicating with the chamber 23. In operation of the siphon nozzle 16, the compressed air delivered through the tube 17 will aspirate fuel through line 24 and chamber 23 to an area in the nozzle 22 adjacent its discharge opening. This creates a turbulence within the nozzle causing the fuel to be mixed with the air, atomized thereby and projected through the discharge opening 25.

Simultaneously, the plate 3 is operative to interrupt air delivered under pressure to its inner face 6, causing it to be deflected and guided by the blades 7 through the tangential inlets 13 in the body 1. Due to the arcuate nature of the walls defining the recesses 11, the air forced through the inlets 13 will be caused to swirl and create a turbulence in the recesses. The recesses are partially shielded by the inner peripheral portion of the plate 3. Due to the fact that the inner peripheral portions of the recesses 11 are exposed in intimate relation to the inner conical surface of the portion 4 of the plate 3, the air passing into the recesses is also swirled outwardly thereof to be deflected by the inner surface of the aforementioned conical peripheral portion of the plate 3 to mix with and further atomize the fuel aspirated through the nozzle assembly 16. This additional air flow entrains the fuel with an increased vigor to project it with a significant dispersing force. Thus, the deflected air moves through the recesses 11 in a tangential fashion and outwardly therefrom in a swirling turbulent condition for deflection by the inner peripheral portion of the plate 3 and acceleration thereby to insure maximum atomization and dispersion of the fuel delivered from the nozzle assembly 16.

This means that in use of the subject burner assembly that the nature of the atomization of fuel is such that ignition and burning can occur with maximum efficiency, enabling what amounts to complete combustion. The latter is insured in view of the excess of air which is forcibly mixed and delivered with the fuel in the projection and dispersion thereof. The net result is an elimination of dangerous fumes and combustible residue in the operation of heater units.

It will be recognized that in fabrication of an assembly as provided by the invention complexities are practically nonexistent. Of particular note is the ease in assembly and disassembly of the burner body 1 with reference to the plate assembly 3. This facilitates maintenance procedures as well.

There is thus provided a more efiicient and effective burner assembly providing economies and significant advances in the space heater art. Of course, it is not intended that the invention is so limited in application since the illustration obviously is merely by way of example as to the nature and advantages of the invention.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in langauge more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A burner assembly comprising, a burner body having an operating face, plate means capping said face and projecting outwardly therefrom in a peripheral sense, an aperture in said plate means, means fixed in said body defining a siphon nozzle arranged to deliver fuel through said aperture in an atomized condition, means defining recesses in said face spaced about said nozzle and having openings therefrom in direct communication with the aperture in said plate means, and means for creating a swirling flow of air in said recesses to cause the air to exit therefrom in a turbulent swirl passing immediately about said nozzle and through said aperture.

2. A burner assembly comprising plate means having an aperture therein, deflector means edge mounted to one face of said plate means to orient generally tangential to said aperture, a burner body mounted to said one face of said plate means intermediate said deflector means, said burner body having fuel ejector means therein exposed to and adapted to align with said aperture, said body having cavities therein opening therefrom about said fuel ejector means and means defining passages in said body opening at one end to said cavities and at the other end generally tangential to said deflector means.

3. A burner assembly comprising, a burner body having an operating face portions of which are recessed, nozzle means mounted in said body to project relative said operating face, said means being arranged to discharge from said operating face a spray of fuel embodied in air in an atomized condition, means defining a shield fixed to overlie said operating face, said shield having an opening in axial alignment with said nozzle means, means defining passages in said burner body opening at their one ends to the recesses defined by said recessed portions of said operating face, portions of said recesses being positioned adjacent the opening in said shield, said passages being arranged to deliver air to said recessed portions of said operating face and said recessed portions being formed to produce a swirling motion of such air, and induce a discharge thereof immediately about the atomized fuel discharged from said nozzle means in a manner to further atomize and disperse the fuel.

4. A burner assembly comprising, a burner body having an operating face, a nozzle unit fixed in said body to discharge at said operating face, said body having openings at said operating face oriented about said nozzle unit, deflector means fixed relative said body to have portions thereof project outwardly therefrom, passages in said body opening at one end to the openings from said operating face and to their other ends adjacent said deflector means, the outwardly projected portions of said deflector means being operative to produce an impact of air thereon and a deflection thereof to and through said passages, said passages and said openings about said nozzle being so formed to produce a swirling discharge of such air from said operating face, immediately about said noz zle unit.

5. A burner assembly comprising a burner body, means for delivering fuel from said body embodied in air in an atomized condition, deflector means positioned about said body to project outwardly therefrom, openings in said body adjacent said deflector means, said body having recesses formed therein, said recesses being defined in part by arcuate wall portions of said body and so positioned to open about the delivery end of said fuel delivery means, said body having passages therein each connecting one of said openings to one of said recesses, said passages being tangentially related to arcuate wall portions of said recesses, said deflector means being operative to direct air through said openings to flow through said passages and to said recesses, aid arcuate wall portion of said recesses producing a turbulent swirling of the air and inducing a discharge thereof to swirl immediately about the atomized fuel delivered from said fuel delivery means in a manner to further atomize and entrain the atomized fuel for advance therewith.

6. A burner assembly comprising, a burner body including an operating face portions of which are recessed, said recessed portions being defined in part by arcuate walls, means for delivering fuel through said body to discharge at said operating face, means defining inlets to said recessed portions of said operating face for flow of air thereto generally tangential to said arcuate walls, said recesses being arranged to open about the discharge from said fuel delivery means and to provide that air delivered thereto will be guided by said arcuate walls and induced thereby to discharge with a swirling motion immediately about the discharge from said fuel delivery means at said operating face.

7. A burner assembly comprising, a burner body including an operating face portions of which are recessed, a siphon nozzle fixed in said body to discharge at its operating face, shield means fixed to project outwardly of said body, edge mounted deflector blades positioned about said body in connection with said shield means, means defining passages in said burner body opening therefrom at one end through said recessed portions of said operating face and to their other end adjacent said deflector blades, said shield means providing for impact of air thereon for deflection by said deflector blades to flow through said passages and exit from said recessed portions of said operating face about said nozzle.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 characterized by said shield means capping said operating face and having an opening for the discharge from said nozzle and means on said blades establishing a nest for said body in releasable engagement therewith.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,587,249 Starr June 1, 1926 1,976,097 Sharp Oct. 9, 1934 2,156,121 Macree Apr. 25, 1939 2,221,519 Jones et al. Nov. 12, 1940 2,676,649 Diehl et a1. Apr. 27, 1954 2,844,140 Wein July 22, 1958 2,964,103 Ryder Dec. 13, 1960 

1. A BURNER ASSEMBLY COMPRISING, A BURNER BODY HAVING AN OPERATING FACE, PLATE MEANS CAPPING SAID FACE AND PROJECTING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM IN A PERIPHERAL SENSE, AN APERTURE IN SAID PLATE MEANS, MEANS FIXED IN SAID BODY DEFINING A SIPHON NOZZLE ARRANGED TO DELIVER FUEL THROUGH SAID APERTURE IN AN ATOMIZED CONDITION, MEANS DEFINING RECESSES IN SAID FACE SPACED ABOUT SAID NOZZLE AND HAVING OPENINGS THEREFROM IN DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH THE APERTURE IN SAID PLATE MEANS, AND MEANS FOR CREATING A SWIRLING FLOW OF AIR IN SAID RECESSES TO CAUSE THE AIR TO EXIT THEREFROM IN A TURBULENT SWIRL PASSING IMMEDIATELY ABOUT SAID NOZZLE AND THROUGH SAID APERTURE. 